Georgian PM: every public resource must deliver maximum benefit to citizens

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday said his Government’s approach was that every public resource should generate the maximum possible benefit for citizens, highlighting the further development of the state procurement system as one of the key instruments of effective governance.

Speaking at the United Nations Public Service Forum in Tbilisi, Kobakhidze noted that the Government Administration established a Government Efficiency Department in 2025, tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of state programmes, projects and procurements, monitoring implementation and promoting the rational use of public resources.

“Our approach is that every public resource must create maximum benefit for citizens. Accordingly, special attention is being paid to the further development of the public procurement system as one of the most important tools of effective governance”, Kobakhidze said.

Kobakhidze emphasised that monitoring and analysis conducted in this area showed that more than ₾390 million ($144 million) had been saved for the state budget in 2025-2026 through direct savings and procurement optimisation.

He added that the principles of efficiency and optimal resource management were being broadly introduced across various areas of public administration.

“For example, optimisation measures implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development since 2025 have generated total savings of ₾845 million ($313 million), including through the optimisation of administrative and personnel costs, as well as projects and procurement procedures”, Kobakhidze said.

He noted that the optimisation of 2,422 staff positions had resulted in annual savings of ₾60 million ($22 million), while a review and improvement of various projects, public procurements and contractual arrangements had generated an additional ₾785 million ($291 million) in savings.

The Prime Minister also said significant legislative amendments had been introduced alongside these practical measures, strengthening the transparency, competitiveness and efficiency of the public procurement system.

“Alongside these practical steps, important legislative amendments have been introduced that have strengthened the transparency, competitiveness and efficiency of the public procurement system. The new mechanisms encourage more active participation by small and medium-sized businesses, while ensuring more responsible and results-oriented management of public funds”, he concluded.